Product Description

In addition to his excellent skills as a songwriter, Neil Diamond is also known for his bold, often theatrical performance style. One glance at the cover of HOT AUGUST NIGHT--Diamond clothed in denim and Native American jewellry, with his hands hovering over his body, and an expression suggesting atrance of intensity--and the listener knows he or she is infor some serious performing. The pop icon delivers as expected; HOT AUGUST NIGHT, recorded in 1972 at the Greek Theaterin Los Angeles, documents the epic showmanship of a Neil Diamond concert.
Listeners will certainly get their money'sworth. Diamond's best-loved songs stuff the two-disc, 25-track set list--the ubiquitous "Sweet Caroline", the infectious "Song Sung Blue", et al, plus versions of "Red Red Wine" and "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon", which he wrote, but were also hits for others. An energetic backing band and a full string section complement the singer's impassioned performances, and an encore medley of "Soolaimon" and "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" brings the show to a fiery close. HOT AUGUST NIGHT remains one of Diamond's best-selling albums. Give it a listen and see why.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Prologue (Neil Diamond/Hot August Night) - Lee Holdridge, Neil Diamond
2. Crunchy Granola Suite - Neil Diamond, Lee Holdridge
3. Done Too Soon - Lee Holdridge, Neil Diamond
4. Dialogue (Neil Diamond/Hot August Night) - Lee Holdridge, Neil Diamond
5. Solitary Man - Neil Diamond, Lee Holdridge
6. Cherry, Cherry - Neil Diamond
7. Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
8. Porcupine Pie - Lee Holdridge, Neil Diamond
9. You're So Sweet - Neil Diamond, Lee Holdridge
10. Red, Red Wine - Neil Diamond
11. Soggy Pretzels - Lee Holdridge, Neil Diamond
12. And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind - Neil Diamond, Lee Holdridge
13. Shilo - Neil Diamond
14. Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon - Neil Diamond, Lee Holdridge

Disc 2:

1. Play Me - Lee Holdridge, Neil Diamond
2. Canta Libre - Neil Diamond, Lee Holdridge
3. Morningside - Lee Holdridge, Neil Diamond
4. Song Sung Blue - Neil Diamond, Lee Holdridge
5. Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond, Lee Holdridge
6. Holly Holy - Lee Holdridge, Neil Diamond
7. I Am...I Said - Neil Diamond
8. Soolaimon - Neil Diamond
9. Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show - Neil Diamond

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6172 in Music
• Released on: 1999-03-20
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Box set, Live
• Running time: 92 minutes

Customer Reviews

The yardstick by which.........................
For anyone who has never heard this album before and is looking for something that will leave them spellbound and completely exhausted of all emotions, I really envy you. For you, unlike the millions who already own this, still have the joy of listening to something that is really unique, for the very first time. Rarely can a combination of songs, performer and audience have come together so comprehensively as one, in such an emotionally charged package. From classic love songs to fever pitched gospel, Diamond takes you on a rollercoaster of moods . The energy and sensitivity of his performance has never been equalled. You can't fake an audience response, the like of which I have never heard before or since after his stunning rendition of Holly Holy. Something magical happened that night. I'm glad it wasn't captured on film because my own personal mental image of the whole performance adds to the appeal. For the duration of the whole concert, I am slap bang in the middle of the audience. Forget studio based "TV Specials" where artists trot out their greatest hits with each note played in a perfect but sterile form. Instead, grab a copy of this and put a "do not disturb" sign on your door with a glass or two of red nearby, and enjoy an experience you will re-live time and time again. But to listen to it for the first time............I really do envy you! This really is the yardstick by which all other live albums are measured.

Simply One Of The Best Live Albums Of All Time
This album is pure entertainment. It's as simple as that. Artists' reputations are made in live performance; this album illustrates - no - PROVES - that Neil Diamond is one of America's premier live performers. The sheer quality of the music shines like a beacon. And that voice is just unmistakable. This is one of the best live albums in the music business. Never mind diamond, this is pure gold!

A Live Album of Rare Quality
Neil Diamond: 30 years ago live in concert.They dont come much better than this.This album is an amazingingly well produced and performed live album.The quality of the recording is stunning and then there is Neil Diamond himself singing songs that are songwriting masterpieces;tender,beautiful,heartfelt and touching those areas of the mind and heart that only truely great music can do.He has written some of the greatest and most beautiful songs of the last century and all those years ago at the Greek theatre he performed them with an aura that surpasses the many years ago it happened.A live album of rare perfection.It shouldnt matter what music you are into,if you really are a musicphile,this album should be in your collection.